The China-Global South Podcast Why Vietnam Will Never Join a U.S. Coalition Against China
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Jul 21, 2025 Khang Vu, a Vietnamese political scientist and visiting scholar at Boston College, dismantles the notion that Vietnam will join a U.S. coalition against China. He highlights Vietnam’s preference for national security over economic ties with the U.S., amid ongoing trade negotiations and tariffs. The discussion emphasizes Vietnam's diplomatic balancing act, its historical mistrust of China, and exciting shifts in its global relations with countries like Russia, India, Japan, and South Korea, showcasing a more independent foreign policy approach.
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Vietnam Prioritizes Security Over Economy
- Vietnam sees its security as paramount and will tolerate economic pain over compromising sovereignty.
- U.S. military and trade leverage over Vietnam is limited due to proximity and historical conflict with China.
Vietnam-China Trade Intertwined
- Vietnam's rising imports from China fuel broader global supply chain roles, not just transshipment to U.S.
- Simplistic U.S. views on transshipment ignore Vietnam's complex economic interdependence with China.
Vietnam's Tariff Disappointment
- Vietnamese feel betrayed by high U.S. tariffs after decades of improved relations.
- Vietnam aims to diversify markets but hopes to negotiate lower tariffs to maintain competitiveness.